Why John McCain Chose Sarah Palin
September 2nd, 2008 at 03:02pm Kevin Patrick
David Brooks has a must-read column in the New York Times discussing what the pick of Sarah Barracuda says about McCain:
When McCain met Sarah Palin last February, he was meeting the rarest of creatures, an American politician who sees the world as he does. Like McCain, Palin does not seem to have an explicit governing philosophy. Her background is socially conservative, but she has not pushed that as governor of Alaska. She seems to find it easier to work with liberal Democrats than the mandarins in her own party. Instead, she seems to get up in the morning to root out corruption. McCain was meeting a woman who risked her career taking on the corrupt Republican establishment in her own state, who twice defeated the oil companies, who made mortal enemies of the two people McCain has always held up as the carriers of the pork-barrel disease: Young and Stevens.
Considering his other “short list” options included people as ideologically opposite as Joe Lieberman, it looks like John McCain continues to cement the GOP as the party of the “Big Tent.” Be sure to read the whole thing.
Entry Filed under: Campaign 2008, Corruption, Grassroots
48 Comments
1. kimberly4victory | September 2nd, 2008 at 3:35 pm
Why Obama picked Joe Biden … for his dancing and singing abilities, of course.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmRXH7RkCZQ&feature=related
2. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 4:20 pm
LM, the KOS is our best friend right now. You guys are such insane haters, YOU are becoming an issue for us to argue against.
Thanks.
3. kimberly4victory | September 2nd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Wow! LiberalMind is a kos kiddie. Who woulda thought!?!
How can we fight the kiddies over at kos if they don’t believe in Freedom of Speech? Conservatives are banned from their site because they don’t want to or know how to debate.
4. yekepyt | September 2nd, 2008 at 4:37 pm
Anyone else see the irony in kimberly (whose responses frequently contain nothing more than childish name-calling) calling someone else a “kiddie?”
5. LiberalMind | September 2nd, 2008 at 4:40 pm
We liberals finally have an effective web site to push back against the Right Wing Noise Machine, Rush, Hannity and Fox Cable.
Go ahead, make my day.
Make Kos the issue du jour of this campaign. What have you left?
You threw away the “experience” smear and have taken on the mantle of the American Christian Taliban in putting Palin on the ticket.
You lose the abortion issue, lose the whole debate about abstinence education and lose in the whole family values discussion.
You also admit to the war being about oil, (Palin’s admission), and that she was for the pork barrel bridge to nowhere project.
McSame has lost the”maverick” title because he has demonstrated that the far right religious fringe still calls the plays.
6. Magnum Serpentine | September 2nd, 2008 at 4:47 pm
among other reasons, McSame picked Sarah Palin-same because he thought she had no baggage, and instead she is about to be impeached in the Republican controlled house and senate of Alaska for ethics violations.
7. yekepyt | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:08 pm
McCain’s campaign picked Sarah Palin because he was trying to get Hillary supporters to vote Republican.
Unfortunately, he picked the anti-Hillary — Hillary supporters supported her because she is pro-choice, for universal health care, articulate, powerful, smart, and a strategic thinker. They won’t go for a self-proclaimed soccer mom.
In the bizarro world that is Right Wing World, up is down — being ahead in the polls is “dismal,” a fourfold increase in oil prices is a market “crash,” a candidate’s popularity will hurt him in the popular vote, and McCain continues to demonstrate his leadership by failing to get people to come and listen to him!
I’m dead serious — these things are more are put forward, with a straight face, on this board!
8. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:11 pm
ha ha ha ha ha , well thanks you guys for your input, we (snicker) will certainly give your thought the attention they deserve.
Abortion is still killing your baby.
“troopergate” is a bust.
Attacks on kids are not appreciated.
And Sarah has more executive experience then all the other candidates combined.
You really should cut back on the opium.
We nominated a real frontier woman.
9. yekepyt | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
In my previous post, I meant “hockey mom,” of course, and “these things are more” should read “these things and more.” Sorry about that, I’m making the family dinner and reading this blog at the same time (bad idea, I know, but it’s better than reading it AFTER I eat!)
10. yekepyt | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Kimberly, are you defining “executive experience” as being governor, mayor, or both (or something else)?
11. js | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:23 pm
obama keeps saying change we can believe in
palin makes change happen by opposing corruption in government
obama keeps saying this is our moment, this is our time, but he abstained from doing anything for the last 3 years about it
palin cut government waste and didnt raise taxes
obama says “I’ve got two daughters, nine years old and six years old. I am going to teach them first of all about values and morals”, and then as an illl state representative, he endorses a 12 year olds right to cross state lines with her 25 year old boyfriend for an abortion…
palin knows her daughter made a mistake, and still opposes abortion…
its pretty clear why palin was picked for VP
what isnt clear is why obama was picked for senate, or for the presidency….
obama keeps saying a new beginnin
then picked a lifer from the DNC in
12. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:25 pm
yekept - doesn’t really matter does it? As neither Biden or Obama have either.
And with Obama in DC, Michelle works full time as an attorney for a hospital that kicks out indegent blacks. Who watches the kids while mommy’s at work? Where’s Daddy EVERY night? Its a wonder they recognize him at all.
Mom probably had someone sew huge ears on their teddy bears as a reminder.
13. kimberly4victory | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Is Todd running?
We’ve been over the experience/accomplishments argument over and over and over and over and over again.
And, yes I am, yekepyt. Obama tried to say he was more experienced because he ran a national campaign and then compared his budget and number of employees to when Palin was mayor.
And from HotAir:
But the main point here is that Obama didn’t really answer the question, and he set up a straw man argument in response to Cooper. Governor Palin is, well, governor, and not currently the mayor of Wasila. As Governor, Palin operates a $9 billion budget, and manages $13 billion in revenue. Furthermore, she runs a government that employs 25,000 people.
Obama blithely pretends that she’s still the mayor of “Wasilly” in order to boost himself. However, running for office isn’t executive experience, for one good reason: Obama isn’t the campaign manager. He has a CEO actually running the campaign, handling the budget, and managing the people while Obama makes the speeches.
14. patricia | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:59 pm
Nice to know the Daily Kos people can post things w/o being vulgar…funny, they don’t seem to do that much on their own websites, or George Soros
sites. Think of it, all they needed to win an election is to demean a woman in Hillary, hide the
past of their candidate, and rip apart the family of
a woman Governor from Alaska. Great.
Palin can and will be a positive if she sets her
own case well from now on . Don’t let the media of the right or left do it for you, she needs to
set the table w/her agenda and ideas.
As for her associations, can we now bring up
with any equal news zeal the ‘links’, and ‘associations’ of Obama to Ayers, Rezko,
Wright, and those far, far left and anti-American
ideas and words………maybe, possibly, yeah right.
If Palin can’t state her case on pro-life, pro-2nd
amendment, foreign policy, energy goals and
needs of the nation, tax cuts, cleaner govt.,
then she was the wrong pick.
IF she can, she’s better than anyone he could
have picked other than Romney and Pawlenty.
15. patricia | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:01 pm
Having said that, Romney would be ripped
apart right now for being ‘too perfect’, lacking
family imperfections, unable to connect to the
average American or inner-city with his
squeaky clean image.
Romney also failed to muster up much fire
in his campaign.
Perhaps, that’s what McCain saw in Palin.
Someone with a spine and some gumption.
If you’re going to lose - as all indicators
point to for any republican candidate this year
most likely - why not go down fighting and
with a bang.
16. kmg | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:03 pm
Kimberly,
Obama denounced the rumors posted on Kos. Mark has still not deleted any of the Larry Sinclair slanders against Obama. What is your opinion now?
Also, are you claiming that as Governor of Alaska, Palin personally ran the day-to-day government operations, handled the budget, and managed all 25,000 employees?
17. js | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:24 pm
if palin starts crackin on obama and rezko and the million dollar mansion, i wonder how much corruption they will really uncover….
has anyone ever lost a race from POTUS because they were charged with a felony before?
18. yekepyt | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:26 pm
Kimberly said that has “more executive experience than all the other candidates combined.”
Is there anyone who can really defend this statement?
Kahn points out that neither Obama nor Biden was ever a governor nor a mayor (McCain fits this bill, too, but Kahn conveniently leaves him out). He then implies that this fact somehow proves that Palin has more “executive experience” than the two of them combined.
Are Kimberly and Kahn joking, or are they really asserting that mayoral and gubernatorial experience at Palin’s level equates to more “executive experience” than acting as a US Senator, or running campaigns to be elected a US Senator?
Is this another “black is white,” “a strong and growing lead in every poll is dismal news,” or “a 400% increases in oil prices indicates a market crash” episode of Right Wing World?
19. kimberly4victory | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:45 pm
So … tell us about Obama’s executive experience and accomplishments that make him qualified to be POTUS (and don’t mention running the national campaign because it has no merit). In fact, give us Biden’s executive experience to make him qualified to be POTUS as well.
20. CanadianObserver | September 2nd, 2008 at 6:49 pm
16. kimberly4victory | September 2nd, 2008 at 5:53 pm
Is Todd running?
———————————
Is Michelle running?
Kimberly, it doesn’t seem to matter if their mate is a candidate for President or Vice-President, Todd, Michelle, Cindi and perhaps Biden’s wife, too, will be relentlessly attacked.
That seems to be the American way. I don’t think you can change it now; it’s ingrained.
I understand that Politics every where can be a dirty business for sure, but the U.S. seems to have perfected it to a fine art. The exhausting length of the process might also be to a contributing factor.
People get bored and need distractions, however contemptible.
21. Thrower | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:00 pm
“Is Todd running?”
No Kimberly, and neither is Michelle Obama but her “proud of my country” and “fist bump” moments were made major issues by your side. Expect Todd and his affiliations to become major issues now, particularly since his wife may someday put him in the position of being first husband.
What is done by you will be done to you in politics, particularly if it is effective. When McCain went negative on Obama (and we all know it was effective in eliminating Obama’s lead) he insured the same would be done to him. Welcome to modern politics.
22. Brian (Boston) | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:09 pm
McCain picked her because of the Hillary vote. She said so in her speach last Friday. She wants to shatter the glass ceiling.
Rove said Tim Kaine, who has more mayoral and gubernatorial experience, was not ready to be Vice President.
As for experience, let’s see who is better in the Vice Presidential debates. Palin said she did not know what the job was of the Vice President, and that was a month ago.
23. Rich | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:16 pm
Obama Camp calls pat Buchanon a nazi sympathizer. Can they stoop any lower to try and smear Palin?
http://www.breitbart.tv/?p=165713
24. kimberly4victory | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:23 pm
I think the reason the lefties are now attacking Todd for his supposed membership (proof anyone?) is because they can’t find any proof Sarah was ever a member. Official records have bunked that conspiracy theory so they turn to the husband.
http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalpunch/2008/09/members-of-frin.html
So true, CO. However, when the wife of a candidate is campaigning for the candidate, it seems all bets are off the table. It’s unfortunate for Michelle to make such a gaffe about being proud of America for the first time in her adult life. And, to have it videotaped. Ouch.
I never said anything about it because I didn’t really care. I was more focused on her husband’s qualifications and associations.
25. Rich | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:25 pm
yekept- You do know the difference between the legislative and executive branches do you not? You do realize that being a senator is not tied to executive experience whatsoever? McCain got executive experience as a commanding officer in the Navy. Obama is one of fifty votes on the senate floor, which means he makes two percent of decisions he votes on. Not really executive experience.
P.S. Obama does not run his campaign, his campaign manager does.
26. kimberly4victory | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:29 pm
Crickets from lefties on post #16.
kmg: Yes, he did denounce the rumors being spread about Palin and I gave him kudos for that … even if it was two days after the rumor started.
27. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
kmg said “Also, are you claiming that as Governor of Alaska, Palin personally ran the day-to-day government operations, handled the budget, and managed all 25,000 employees?”
Why kmg, is OBAMA doing that? Is he planning on not having a cabinet and running everything himself.
What an idiotic argument.
28. kmg | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Kimberly,
Yet the Sinclair posts still stand.
Back to the topic, do you believe that Palin single-handedly runs all aspects of the Alaskan executive branch,
or
do you think she delegates that to others, such as the Lt. Governor, sets priorities, provides guidance, and makes decisions?
What is the difference between that and how any company, or presidential campaign, is run?
29. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:52 pm
Brian (Boston) - except that Kaine’s budget is a bust and he is failing miserably. I live in Virginia.
yekept, yep. She has more executive experience than ANY other candidate including McCain. But McCain is also an Annapolis grad, a former Navy Captain (where he had guess what????? Management and leadership responsibility) and a war hero who suffered horrible and real severe physical torture in defense of this nation.
30. kmg | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Kahn,
I’m not the one who is arguing that Palin is single-handedly running the state of Alaska while Obama is only doing what his campaign manager tells him to do. Bring that up with Kimberly and Rich.
31. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:54 pm
kmg, well Obama manages NOTHING and neither does Biden. So critiquing Palins techniques is a mute point.
What a stupid argument. Of course she does those things. Wouldn’t you?
32. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 7:55 pm
But hey, when these arguments fall short, why not beat up her kids some more?
33. yekepyt | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:00 pm
Yeah, I know about the three branches of our government. When people speak of “executive experience” they don’t necessarily mean “experience in the executive branch of the federal government” (by that definition, Palin has none).
The term “executive experience,” which could in some contexts mean “experience in the executive branch of the federal government,” typically means experience at the helm of any large and/or complex organization where executive decisions are made under competitive, circumstantial, or time pressure.
Maybe you could argue that running for and acting as a U.S. senator doesn’t qualify as “executive experience worthy of a presidential candidate.” Maybe you could argue that orchestrating and executing one of the most remarkably successful presidential campaigns in history doesn’t qualify, either. But certainly both more are far more challenging than being governor of Alaska for eighteen months, or a small-town mayor.
It’s like arguing that because someone was superintendent of schools in Boston, his or her executive experience exceeds that of a well-respected, long term Republican senator (I couldn’t think of one by name, sorry). Yes, technically, it is true, but you’d sound silly making that type of argument.
Just as you sound silly saying that Sarah Palin is more qualified to be president than an elder statesman like Joe Biden, a self-made Harvard magna cum laude professor of constitutional law like Barack Obama, or even a forgettable senator like John McCain. No one would believe it; they’d just think you were nuts.
34. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:04 pm
She is the governor of Alaska. She does run the government. She is wildly successful and popular.
Obama has run nothing.
Biden has run nothing.
Reminds me of the time I was the duty driver for the O.D at Cherry Point.
I checked in with the Sergent. I was in Class B uniform with ribbons, as required.
This Sergent, with NO ribbons looked over my stack and said, “I don’t think those are in the right order.” I was silent for 10 full seconds (a record for me) and then I just started laughing.
“My medals are in the wrong order?” Still makes me laugh all these years later.
35. BARRASSO | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:05 pm
AAAAANNNNNDDD THE PALIN BUMP FOR MCCAIN IS………………………………
Obama gets above 50% for the first time.
http://www.gallup.com/poll/109960/Gallup-Daily-Obama-Hits-50-First-Time.aspx
36. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:06 pm
yekept - It’s not a successful Presidential campaign yet. Lets keep it that way.
Stop being so obtuse on this. You know we win this argument. Attack her on issues and stop this nonsense.
37. Kahn | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:07 pm
BAr ass - we’ll lets see. She’s hardly gotten a chance to get going yet. Most;y your side has attacked her children. Hey, know what she has in common with Nancy Pelosi??? Five kids.
38. Some Assembly Required | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:29 pm
oh my Kahn, having a very stressful week are we? I’m honestly in disbelief that McCain did something this (for lack of a better word) Stupid, 9 weeks before an election.
I think this just about says it all.
A pick to appease the base, nothing more, nothing less. Now abortion is brought front and center. So, with the economy, the war, healthcare, etc.. My guess is McCain hopes abortion will be enough to fire up his base to vote like they did in 2004. It could be a sound stragey but he’s failing to consider the vast number of newly registered voters coming out this year. He appeases the base but loses college and high school students who are educated enough to see this was in fact the equivalent on an ‘affirmative action’ hire. Then middle class workers see the hypocrisy of it. Oh the Irony!
I personally find it hysterical, you folks constantly kicking yourself in the rear with your own foot while pretending like it’s someone else’s.
39. yekepyt | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:30 pm
Ok, Kahn, I actually appreciate a genuine response like yours.
I disagree that being governor of our smallest state for a period of months is somehow qualitatively superior to being a United States Senator in terms of qualifying someone for the Oval Office.
Obama is pretty succssful and popular, too, in case you haven’t noticed!
40. Danish Artist | September 2nd, 2008 at 8:49 pm
Barrassole,
It was not a Palin bounce it was the bounce from the convention as stated in the polls.
A pitiful bounce at that. Al Gore had more of a bounce after his convention. THe bounce Obama received is barely above the margin for error.
SAR, go back to your bong.
Biden was not a political pick? IF you believe that I have some land to sell you in Louisiana, cheap!
41. Some Assembly Required | September 2nd, 2008 at 9:11 pm
DA,
Biden was a political pick. A very smart one. One which would attract Hillary voters (womens rights bill) and came with more foreign policy experience then McCain. Not to mention his son is being shipped off to Iraq.
Nice try at deflection. What’s Plain’s experience other then being a conservative woman with a nice face, 5 kids and a teenage daughter who she probably forced to keep the baby?
Come on, you’ve been asking about Obama’s experience and credentials all this time but maintain Plain has more experience. Even though she is 3 years his junior. Now, to clarify your counter about her being VP and him being President. The President often consults with the Vice President. Shoot, it could be argued that Dick Cheeny runs the show. So, with this in mind, Obama picks a very experienced candidate to run with him. Someone who’s been around and can help him if ever the need arises. Someone whose been throughly vetted and very well known. McCain, he selects a novice women who he did not properly vet and is about as unknown as Obama was before Iowa, over some very experienced candidates who have proven themselves time and again. Can you please explain to me how that is not the equivalent of an ‘affirmative action’ hire?
Theres no question Plain has a big future ahead of her, but for McCain to pick her over Lieberman, Romney, or even Jindal. Is nothing short of a ‘hail mary’ as the talking point says. Personally, I think Jindal would have been a game saver for McCain. Considering Gustav and how well everything was coordinated this time, it would have swayed a lot of undecided voters his way and possibly motivated the base around a capable proven leader tried during a natural disaster. But, He chose the ‘hockey mom’ with ‘5 kids’. Oh well, you make the bed in which you lay.
Question, when you found out about McCain’s pick did you shake your head and wonder what he was thinking, as I’m sure most educated republicans did?
42. A-10 | September 2nd, 2008 at 9:32 pm
yekepyt,
Sen Obama “succssful” (sic)? At what? Reading from a teleprompter? Securing earmarks for his wife’s employer? Avoiding to ever hold a committee meeting for which he is the chair? For launching his political career in the home of a unrepentant terrorist? For voting “present”?
Popular? Is this a popularity contest? I would hope we will be electing a President and Vice President based on their qualifications, beliefs, and plans for our country.
As I view the playing field, I see, on one hand, a US Senator of 3+ years who has spent less than 150 days in session and the last 2 years running for office. A US Senator with ZERO executive experience. ZERO military experience. A US Senator who has ADMITTED USING COCAINE!!!!! I see a running mate with ZERO executive experience, ZERO military experience, who is prone to exagerating his past. I see two men who preach “change”. unfortunately, it will be all change for the worse. Higher taxes, lower tax revenue, higher unemployment, higher gas prices, decimated military, and terrorist nations with nuclear weapons.
On the other hand, I see a honest-to-God war hero who put his life on the line for his country. Who is noted for fighting earmakrs. Who will cut taxes, cut rampant government spending, and maintain a strong military. I see a running mate with 8 years of actual executive experience running a goverment.
It really doesn’t matter the size of the city or state. The responsibility, preasures, and accountability are the same. The “buck stops” at the Mayor’s or the Governor’s desk. Since when has the “buck” ever stopped at a Senator’s desk? If a “buck” approaches a Senator’s desk, it quickly gets spent.
You can “..disagree that being governor of our smallest state for a period of months is somehow qualitatively superior to being a United States Senator in terms of qualifying someone for the Oval Office.” But you want to know something? It is. Governors have to submit a budget each year. Senators do not. Governors are constitutionally responsible for the safety and welfare of the citizens of their state. Senators aren’t responsible for anything, including their own behavior. The legislative branch debates, votes, and inacts legislation. It is the executive branch that runs government, not the legislative branch.
43. A-10 | September 2nd, 2008 at 9:43 pm
Some Assembly Required,
“What’s Plain’s experience other then being a conservative woman with a nice face, 5 kids and a teenage daughter who she probably forced to keep the baby?”
1. She’s a Governor. The Chief Executive of the State of Alaska. You are an idiot if you don’t believe that qualifies as “executive experience”.
2. She served 6 years as a Mayor. The Chief Executive of a City. You are an idiot if you don’t believe that qualifies as “executive experience”.
Neither of the Donk’s candidates on the ticket have EVER served a single day in a executive capacity. No, running for office does not qualify as executive experience. Being a Governor does.
Answer:When I found out about McCain’s pick, I did not shake my head and wonder what he was thinking. I listened to Gov Palin and knew he made a brilliant choice, as I’m sure most educated republicans did.
44. js | September 2nd, 2008 at 9:55 pm
i guess the real meaning of liberal is cracker, eh?
45. FmrMarine | September 3rd, 2008 at 3:25 am
kimg
>>>Mark has still not deleted any of the Larry Sinclair slanders against Obama. What is your opinion now?>>>
They have NOT proven to be untrue.
They are as viable accusations, as was Paula Jonses, and Monica Lewinskies.
your ideal candidates seem to favor cocaine and oral sex,
why isnt this an open issue?
arent you trolls all about ripping a 17yo daughter of a VP candidate?
but demand silence about your light weight empty suits drug use and accusations of homosexual liaisons?
46. Some Assembly Required | September 3rd, 2008 at 7:35 am
A-10,
2 years as governor and already surrounded in scandal. 6 years as mayor of a city that doesn’t make half as much money annually as Obama’s campaign does in a month.
But lets qualify this executive experience for a minute. What exactly has she done in the positions she has held? What legislation has she introduced or passed? She ended the ‘bridge to nowhere’ please… thats like saying Regan ended the cold war. What has she done as mayor in the small town aside from fix roads and quell squrmishes at the local grocery store? I actually heard someone try to contend that her experience as a mother of 5 qualified her to be VP. And you, as an ‘educated conservative’ still think he made a brilliant choice. November is going to be a very long month for you.
The more I look at it the more I see her pick as affirmative action. I think the first ladies speech at the convention last night furthered my belief in such. GWB has lots of women on his staff… it was all rather transparent if you asked me. Good luck with those Hilary voters and PUMA. Oh wait, that was a republican organization too. Time to nuke some more butter for my popcorn!
47. Rich | September 3rd, 2008 at 10:31 am
“The more I look at it the more I see her pick as affirmative action.”
Hilarious. Just hilarious. I don’t even have to point out why.
48. yekepyt | September 3rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
Hi A-10,
Thanks for pointing out that I left the “e” out of “successful.” By the way, in your post, you misspelled exaggerating, earmarks, pressures, and government, and you left out a space between the words “in” and “acts,” — you wrote “inacts.”
I call Obama successful because he graduated magna cum laude from Harvard, wrote three bestselling books, was elected state and then US Senator, and has now been nominated for President of the United States. Of course, you may have some other definition of “success” which would not be met by these accomplishments. Your definition might include “made fewer than five spelling errors in a post to Blogs4Victory.”
My response, where I mentioned that Obama is successful and popular, was in direct response to Kahn’s post where he said that Palin is “wildly successful and popular.”
But since you asked, yes, the popular vote could be called a popularity contest — you see, the person who is most “popular” will win the “popular” vote. It’s like a contest, for popularity! How about that!
Of course, it’s the electoral vote that counts in November. Obama is creaming McCain in that contest, too.